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EDITORIAL. – New research reveals that physical activity, although essential for general health, It is not the main factor to lose weight. Experts like Herman Pontzerevolutionary anthropologist and professor at Duke University, explain that the human body regulates its energy expenditure, limiting the amount of calories burned even with high levels of physical activity.
The restricted energy expenditure model
Pontzer and his team studied the Hadza in 2012, a tribe of hunter-gatherers in Tanzania with an extremely active lifestyle. Surprisingly, they found that the Hadzas burned the same number of calories daily as the average office worker in the United States.
This finding gave rise to the “restricted energy expenditure” model, which explains how the body adjusts other biological functions, such as digestion or temperature regulation, to maintain a stable range of caloric expenditure.
Why doesn’t exercise guarantee weight loss?
Although exercise increases caloric expenditure in the short term, its impact is reduced in the long term. According to Pontzer, when exercise becomes a regular routine, the body adjusts its metabolism to compensate, causing total energy expenditure to remain constant.
This explains why many people fail to lose weight, despite increasing their physical activity.
“If you exercise today, you burn more calories today,” Pontzer explained. “But if you do it regularly, your body adapts and you don’t burn more calories in total.”
The real challenge: diet
Research indicates that weight gain is not due to a faulty metabolism, but rather excessive calorie consumption, especially during periods such as the holidays.
Factors such as stress, unhealthy eating habits, and age contribute to a positive calorie balance, leading to weight gain.
Pontzer also denies the effectiveness of miracle diets or supplements to “speed up” metabolism. “Low-carb or high-protein diets do not have a significant effect on the number of calories we burn daily,” he said.
What does this mean for those who want to lose weight?
The key to weight control lies in balancing calories consumed with calories burned, rather than relying solely on exercise.
Although physical activity is essential to prevent chronic diseases and improve quality of life, it should not be considered the only tool for losing weight.
Instead of focusing exclusively on exercise, experts suggest adopting sustainable eating habits and moderating caloric intake. This approach, combined with regular exercise, can improve overall health and facilitate long-term weight management.
The study invites us to rethink our expectations about exercise, highlighting that, although it is not the main trigger for losing weight, it is still essential for maintaining a healthy life.
**What other factors besides exercise contribute to weight loss?**
## The Weight Loss Equation: Why Movement Isn’t the Only Answer
**This week, groundbreaking new research throws a wrench into the popular narrative that simply moving more will inevitably lead to weight loss. While physical activity remains fundamental for overall health and well-being, science suggests it plays a less crucial role in shedding pounds than previously thought.**
In a recent study led by evolutionary anthropologist Herman Pontzer of Duke University, the spotlight shines on a fascinating phenomenon: the human body’s remarkable ability to regulate its energy expenditure. Even individuals with highly active lifestyles, like the Hadza hunter-gatherers of Tanzania studied by Pontzer’s team in 2012, burn a surprisingly similar number of calories daily compared to their sedentary counterparts in the United States. This discovery has given rise to the “restricted energy expenditure” model, which proposes that our bodies delicately balance energy use by adjusting other biological functions like digestion and temperature regulation to maintain a stable caloric output.
This doesn’t mean exercise is useless for weight management. It certainly offers numerous benefits, both physically and mentally. However, its long-term impact on weight loss appears to be less significant than we once believed. While exercise initially boosts caloric expenditure, the body adapts over time, adjusting its metabolism to compensate for the increased activity.
**So, what does this mean for individuals seeking to shed unwanted pounds?**
Simply put, a holistic approach is essential.
Focusing solely on physical activity while neglecting dietary choices and lifestyle factors is unlikely to yield sustainable weight loss. Instead, a comprehensive strategy that encompasses mindful eating, balanced nutrition, adequate sleep, stress management, and regular physical activity offers a more promising path to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.
This research compels us to re-evaluate our understanding of weight loss and embrace a more nuanced perspective. While exercise undoubtedly plays a role, it’s one piece of the puzzle.
**Moving forward, further investigation is essential to fully understand the complexities of energy expenditure and individual metabolic responses to exercise.
However, one message rings clear:** a healthy and sustainable weight loss journey requires a balanced approach that prioritizes overall well-being.
